James vs Samson

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

James

Boy #5 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"supplanter, one who follows at the heel"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English Scottish Biblical

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#5
Total SSA Count
11,793
Syllables
1
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Jim, Jimmy, Jamie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for James →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Samson Rank #523

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #523 for Samson.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

James ___

  • James Alexander
  • James William
  • James Thomas
  • James Edward
  • James Henry
  • James Patrick

Samson ___

  • Samson James
  • Samson Lee
  • Samson David
  • Samson Ray
  • Samson Cole
  • Samson Grant

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Samson

Delilah Solomon Elijah Noah Naomi

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is James or Samson more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Samson at #523 in the United States.

What do James and Samson mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Samson means "sun, like the sun" (Hebrew origin).

Are James and Samson boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Samson is primarily a boy name.

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